past

The sounds of conversation and music were bursting out into the quiet night with every swing of the dry, creaking door. Lured by the smell of food, Arlenis felt as if the scent had wrapped a rope around her stomach, dragging her toward the source. It growled in anticipation, instinctively salivating. Pushing through the door to the brine soaked inn was an assault to every one of her still reeling senses.

The bright electrical glare of the lights made her eyes dilate instantly, destroying her night vision. She squinted at the glare as she moved between the full tables, too many patrons stuffed into the the small space. Squeezing her way to the bar, she pulled the newly acquired coins from her pocket, slapping them onto the counter with a dull clink lost in the din of the crowd.

Tur...

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